The Treaty of Livadia was rejected by the Qing government, leading to its replacement by the Treaty of Saint Petersburg in 1881.
Key Facts
- Date Signed
- 2 October 1879
- Location
- Livadiya, Crimea
- Parties
- Russian Empire and Qing dynasty
- Subject
- Return of occupied Xinjiang lands
- Ratification
- Refused by Chinese government
- Successor Treaty
- Treaty of Saint Petersburg, ~17 months later
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Dungan Revolt of 1862–1877, Russia occupied portions of Xinjiang. After Qing forces reasserted control over the region, negotiations commenced to formalize Russia's withdrawal and define the territorial terms under which the occupied lands would be returned to China.
On 2 October 1879, representatives of the Russian Empire and the Qing dynasty signed the Treaty of Livadia in Crimea. Under its terms, Russia agreed to return a portion of the Xinjiang lands it had occupied, though the agreement was widely regarded as an unequal treaty unfavorable to China.
The Qing government refused to ratify the treaty and sentenced the Chinese emissary who had negotiated it to death, though the sentence was not carried out. Approximately seventeen months later, the two powers signed the Treaty of Saint Petersburg, which retained most of the same terms but addressed some territorial concerns.
Political Outcome
Treaty rejected by Qing government; replaced by the Treaty of Saint Petersburg approximately 17 months later
Russia occupied portions of Xinjiang following the Dungan Revolt
Partial return of Xinjiang lands agreed in principle; final terms renegotiated in Treaty of Saint Petersburg